Quilt Fabric Yardage Calculator

Why Accurate Fabric Calculations Matter

Knowing exactly how much fabric you need prevents costly mistakes and wasted trips to the fabric store. Our calculator accounts for seam allowances, waste, and optimal cutting layouts to ensure you buy the right amount of fabric the first time.

Width of Fabric (WOF)

Most quilting cotton fabric comes in standard widths of 42-44 inches after removing the selvage edges. Some specialty fabrics like home decor fabrics come in wider widths (54" or 60"). Always measure your fabric's actual usable width before cutting, as it can vary by manufacturer and fabric type.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Cutting

Horizontal cutting: Strips are cut parallel to the selvage (across the width of fabric). This is the most common method and works well for most projects.

Vertical cutting: Strips are cut perpendicular to the selvage (along the length of fabric). This method is useful when you need longer strips or want to take advantage of directional prints.

Planning for Waste

Always add extra fabric to account for:

• Cutting mistakes: Even experienced quilters make occasional cutting errors
• Fabric shrinkage: Pre-washing can cause 3-5% shrinkage
• Directional prints: May require additional fabric for pattern matching
• Piecing adjustments: Sometimes blocks need to be remade
• Future repairs: Keep extra fabric for potential fixes down the road

We recommend adding 10-15% extra fabric. For complex projects or beginners, consider 15-20%.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter your quilt's finished dimensions (the size you want the completed quilt to be)
2. Set your fabric width and preferred cutting orientation
3. Choose your waste percentage (10% is a good starting point)
4. Optional: Add block design details for more accurate fabric breakdowns
5. Optional: Include sashing measurements if your design uses sashing
6. Optional: Add border widths (you can specify multiple borders)
7. Click "Calculate Fabric Requirements" to see your results